EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & PROCEDURES

University Circle is a multiple use facility. It has three office buildings, a parking structure, and a hotel.  Building 1900 was completed in November 2001, Building 2000 was completed in February 2002, and Building 1950 was completed in the Spring of 2003.  The Four Seasons Hotel was completed in January 2006.

Each building (1900, 1950, 2000) has six floors and one basement (parking) and has approximately 165,000 rentable square footage.  All are equipped with modern life-safety systems. This includes a sprinkler system with flow detectors, smoke detectors, fire pull stations, pressurized stairwells and an elevator recall system.

Sprinkler Systems

University Circle has an automatic sprinkler system. Quick-response sprinkler heads will open in response to temperatures above 165 degrees. Activation of any sprinkler head will sound an alarm in the building and will summon security and the fire department. Two diesel fire pumps provide system pressure.

Fire Alarm and Smoke Detection

Fire alarm pull stations are located by stairwells and elevator lobbies.  Smoke detectors are located throughout the building. Activation will send an audio/visual signal to the fire control room identifying the location and cause of the alarm. An alarm will sound in the building, and the alarm will be transmitted to an alarm monitoring company, which will also make contact with the fire department. Any tenant noting a fire condition should also call 9-1-1 directly and/or activate an emergency fire pull station.

Lobby Door Release System 

Certain doors surrounding the elevator lobbies and located in fire-rated walls are equipped with magnetic hold-open devices. If a smoke detector on the floor is tripped, these devices will release the doors on that floor, impeding the spread of fire and/or smoke.

Elevator Recall and Emergency Service 

There are three passenger elevators in each building servicing the basement though the sixth floors.

Elevators are a dangerous place to be in a fire. The heat and damage caused by a fire can register a false "call" on the fire floor, causing the elevators to come to that floor. Accordingly, the following systems have been installed to protect persons using or attempting to use the elevators during a fire:

Automatic Recall: In the elevator lobbies there are smoke detectors that activates this system. If any of these devices sense smoke, all elevators will close doors and return to the ground floor, where they will remain with doors open, until released by building or fire department personnel.

Emergency (Firemen's) Service: After an elevator recall has occurred, the elevators may be put into emergency service by using a key switch located in each car. This will allow operation of the car by using the "open door" and "close door" control buttons. This service is for use by the fire department for purposes of evacuation of disabled persons and for firefighting.

Elevator Earthquake Response: When a moderate or severe earthquake occurs, a device on each elevator car senses the side-to-side motion of the car. If this motion exceeds a preset maximum, the elevator stops. It then moves in the opposite direction from its counterweight, stops at the next floor, and opens its doors. It will remain in this condition until it is thoroughly examined and put back into service by an elevator mechanic.

Stairwells

There are two stairwells that extend from the basement to the sixth floor of the building. The stairwell doors are fire rated at one and one-half hours. In an emergency scenario, exit signs can be followed directly to the nearest stairwell.

Emergency Power 

Each building has an emergence diesel generator which will switch on automatically in the event of power failure. The generators power one elevator at a time, building life safety systems, and emergency lighting.

Extinguishers

ABC fire extinguishers are located throughout the building and are inspected annually.

Standpipes

A standpipe is a type of water piping system which fire hoses can be connected, allowing manual application of water to the fire. They are located in the building stairwells.

Life Safety Control Room

The Life Safety Control Room is located in the basement level of Building 1900. It contains annunciator panels showing alarm or system fault locations, the main panel for all buildings, security cameras and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Building 1900

Building 1950

Building 2000

This plan is a tool designed to assist you before and in an emergency.  Familiarize yourself with your workplace environment, the people who work there, the University Circle’s and your company’s emergency preparations and procedures. Take precautions necessary to provide for the services mentioned in this book and test them before you need them.  Every situation is different which means your response will have to differ. 

This is not a substitute for common sense. If you have a question, suggestion, or concerns contact your manager. Discuss the contents of this plan with your co-workers.  Have a rehearsal and walk through the procedures. Even the best actors cannot perform well without time to rehearse the script. Always use your initiative, intuition and good judgment to assure your own personal safety.

EVACUATION/FIRE DRILLS

You may become aware of an emergency in the building by the fire alarm or from a co-worker.   You may need to evacuate, even if there is no alarm. Floor Wardens meet at your office floor’s elevator lobby.  If you don’t have enough people to perform all roles, you may need to assign roles to staff.

Evacuation Procedures 

All Floor Wardens will need to assemble by their floor’s lobby elevators. If you do not have enough people to fill this role at the timing of this event, you will need to recruit volunteers. The following roles will need to be assigned amongst the Floor Wardens:

Searcher Duties: Work in pairs and sweep each wing to make sure everyone is out.  Check all enclosed spaces such as bathrooms, storage closets and conference rooms. Close doors as you search. To better aid first responders, Searchers can post sticky blank sticky/post-it notes onto the doors of rooms which they have cleared, indicating to first responders that this room has been cleared of persons.

Elevator Duties: Stand by the elevators reminding those exiting not to use the elevator, and to direct them to the stairwells. Be advised that in an emergency; elevators will be unusable!

ADA Duties: Move injured and disabled persons to the stairwell area. If you are able to go downstairs, wait for the stairwell to clear of other evacuates before proceeding down. If you are unable to manage stairs, stay with person inside of the stairwell, and send someone down to the first floor to inform the first responders of the situation.  The first responder team will determine the best way to get these people to safety.

Upon evacuation, all Floor Wardens are to proceed to their designated evacuation area.  You must be at least 100 feet away from the building and not in a fire lane or otherwise inhibit first responder vehicular traffic. Any employee who notices something of importance (i.e. trapped person, employee who refuses to leave, building issue, etc.) should report status to any Floor Warden, Fire Department staff, or Life Safety Director. They will need to relay the issue(s), the floor, and its best approximate location.

When evacuating use caution when you approach a closed door

• Carefully check for heat with the back of your hand by lightly touching the doorframe near the top.  Then check the door handle.  If it is hot, you will need an alternate exit.
• Brace yourself and open the door slowly if it is cool to the touch.  You may need to shut it quickly if you encounter flame or smoke.
• Enter the area carefully and close the door behind you if you find it filled with smoke. If the smoke is too intense, stay where you are.
• Drop to your hands and knees and keep your face near the floor whenever there is heavy smoke.
• Follow the wall to the nearest exit and leave the building.

What to do if you are trapped your building:

Always remain calm. Try to go to a room with an exterior window with a phone and stay there. If this is not an option, find a room with a door and phone. Dial 911, and tell the dispatcher exactly where you are, even if you see fire trucks below.

To keep smoke out of your refuge area, use clothing, towels, newspapers, etc.  to stuff the cracks around the door and cover the ventilators. Do not break a window; this will bring more smoke into the space.

To help rescuers find you, stay in an area where they can see you and wave something bright and light-colored to draw their attention.  Above all, think before you act and be patient until help arrives.  First responders and rescue efforts will take time, and those who are in the most immediate danger will be prioritized first.

Fire 

If you smell a suspicious or burning/smoke-like odor, notify Security by dialing 650.838.9700. If you see/smell smoke, see fire, or otherwise confirm that a fire is active, immediately dial 911.

• Remain calm and identify yourself.
• Report the location and nature of the emergency.
• Notify Security by dialing 650.838.9700.
• Activate the fire pull station (by stairwells and elevator lobbies).
• Warn others in the immediate area.
• Use an extinguisher only if it is a small fire and you are trained to do so.
• Begin evacuation procedures.

BUILDING AND TENANT EMERGENCY PERSONNEL

Life Safety Director

Identifiable by their yellow safety vest. The person responsible for coordinating the efforts of police and fire departments while at University Circle.  The Chief Engineer assumes this responsibility.  The Property Manager and/or Assistant Property Managers serve a support role to the Life Safety Director. The Life Safety Director provides real time updates to first responders and other emergency personnel, while coordination with Floor Wardens and the property team.

Floor Warden(s)

Identifiable by their orange safety vest. Employees who accept a special responsibility for their fellow workers.  It is their duty to assist in implementing emergency management procedures that assure everyone's safety in a time of crisis.  Floor Wardens report to the Life Safety Director.

Life Safety Director Responsibilities

Duties during an emergency the Life Safety Director or his/her designee will:

1. In the event of an emergency, put into effect the Life Safety Plan.
2. Ensure that the fire department has been notified via the 9-1-1 system.
3. Act as a liaison between the Fire Department and the building.
4. Meet the Fire Department with information regarding the emergency and all required equipment (keys, knox boxes and MSDS’s). Inform fire department regarding evacuation procedures in progress, the location of the fire panel, if anyone is trapped or disabled persons on stairway landings in need of assistance.
5. Start evacuation procedures and recall elevators.

Duties during non-emergencies the Life Safety Director or his/her designee will:

1. Implement a program of general fire prevention for the building.
2. Assure development of a program of regular inspections, maintenance, testing, and re-certification of all fire and life safety equipment and apparatus.
3. Conduct annual fire drills.
4. Maintain an emergency response team system including annual training.
5. Maintain procedures for assisting the non-ambulatory and physically disabled persons.

Floor Warden(s) Responsibilities

1. Know the physical layout of the floor and adjacent floors.
2. Know the location of stairwells, and the direct route to each.
3. Know the location and usage of the Fire Extinguishers.
4. Know the names and work locations of persons with physical disabilities.  Assign an employee to the disabled to assist them during an emergency.
5. Know emergency telephone numbers and procedures.
6. Know how to assume control, maintain calm and prevent panic.
7. Instruct co-workers in their emergency roles.
8. Know how to notify the Life Safety Director of:
   
   1. The location of disabled persons.
   2. Adverse conditions on the floor.
       

EVACUATION AREAS

• Stay calm and gather the information.
• Activate Emergency Services by dialing 911
  • Identify yourself and your location.
  • Describe the emergency.
  • Notify Security by dialing 650.838.9700 to hold an elevator for the emergency responders.
• Send an employee to the elevator lobby to escort emergency personnel.

• Assist a victim to the degree you are trained.  If blood or bodily fluids are present, always wear latex gloves.  Be certain to give a pair of gloves to other employees who may be assisting or may come in contact with the blood or bodily fluids.
• AED’s have been installed in all common area restroom areas on the first floor of all buildings.  In addition, most tenants have participated in the AED installation and training program. As such, AEDs have been installed in tenant space on many of the floors of each building.  AEDs are also located in the Building Management office as well as just outside the elevator lobbies of the parking structure.  Floor Wardens should familiarize themselves with the locations of AEDs in their suite and the individuals on staff that are trained in their use.

• Remain calm and keep the caller on the line.
• Ask questions.
• Use the Bomb Threat Checklist to gather information.
• Determine as much about the caller as you can.
• Listen carefully for background noises.
• Record the exact wording of the threat.

• Notify the Police by dialing 9-1-1.
• Notify Security 650.838.9700.
• Wait calmly for further instructions from Police or your management.
• Do not mention the call to anyone.

CHEMICAL ATTACK

Chemical agents are poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids and solids that have toxic effects on people, animals or plants. Chemical agents are unlikely to cause death because they dissipate quickly outdoors and are hard to produce.

Signs of a chemical release include difficulty breathing, eye irritation, loss of coordination, nausea or burning in the nose, throat and lungs. The presence of many dead insects or birds may indicate a chemical agent release.

Before a Chemical Emergency

Build an Emergency Supply Kit and include:

1. Duct tape
2. Scissors
3. Plastic (to cover doors, windows and vents)

Make an Emergency Plan.

During a Chemical Attack 

• Quickly try to figure out which areas are affected or where the chemical is coming from, if possible.
• Get away immediately.
• If the chemical is inside your building, get out of the building without passing through the contaminated area, if possible.
• If you can’t get out of the building or find clean air without passing through the affected area, move as far away as possible and shelter-in-place.

If you are instructed to remain in your home or office building, you should:

• Close doors and windows and turn off all ventilation, including furnaces, air conditioners, vents, and fans.
• Seek shelter in an internal room with your disaster supplies kit.
• Seal the room with duct tape and plastic sheeting.
• Listen to the radio or television for instructions from authorities.

If you are caught in or near a contaminated area outdoors:

• Quickly decide what is the fastest way to find clean air:
• Move away immediately, in a direction upwind of the source.
• Find the closest building to shelter-in-place.

After a Chemical Attack

Do not leave the safety of a shelter to go outdoors to help others until authorities say it is safe to do so.

You will need immediate medical attention from a professional if you are affected by a chemical agent. If medical help is not immediately available, decontaminate yourself and help others decontaminate. Use extreme caution when helping others who have been exposed to chemical agents.

How to decontaminate:

• Illustration of two hands being washed with soap under a faucet.
• Remove all clothing and other items in contact with your body.
• Cut off clothing normally removed over the head to avoid contact with the eyes, nose and mouth.
• Put contaminated clothing and items into a plastic bag and seal the bag.
• Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put glasses in a pan of household bleach to decontaminate them and then rinse and dry.
• Wash hands with soap and water.
• Flush eyes with water.
• Gently wash face and hair with soap and water before thoroughly rinsing with water.
• Proceed to a medical facility for screening and professional treatment.

BIOLOGICAL ATTACK

Many facilities in communities around the country have received anthrax threat letters.  Most were empty envelopes; some have contained powdery substances.  The purpose of these guidelines is to recommend procedures for handling such incidents.

DO NOT PANIC

Anthrax organisms can cause infection in the skin, gastrointestinal system, or the lungs. To do so the organism must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease can be prevented after exposure to the anthrax spores by early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics. Anthrax is not spread from one person to another person. 

For anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must be aerosolized into very small particles. This is difficult to do and requires a great deal of technical skill and special equipment.  If these small particles are inhaled, life-threatening lung infection can occur, but prompt recognition and treatment are effective.

Suspicious Unopened letter or PACKAGE MARKED WITH THREATENING MESSAGE SUCH AS “ANTHRAX”:

1. Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package.
2. PLACE the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents.
3. If you do not have any container, then COVER the envelope or package with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover.
4. Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
5. WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.
6. What to do next…
   1. If you are at HOME, then report the incident to local police.
   2. If you are at WORK, then report the incident to local police, and notify your building security official or an available supervisor.
7. LIST all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give this list to both the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials for follow-up investigations and advice.

Envelope with powder and powder spills out onto surface:

1. DO NOT try to CLEAN UP the powder.  COVER the spilled contents immediately with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover!
2. Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
3. WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.
4. What to do next…
   1. If you are at HOME, then report the incident to local police.
   2. If you are at WORK, then report the incident to local police, and notify your building security official or an available supervisor.
5. REMOVE heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place in a plastic bag, or some other container that can be sealed.  This clothing bag should be given to the emergency responders for proper handling.
6. SHOWER with soap and water as soon as possible.  Do Not Use Bleach Or Other Disinfectant On Your Skin.
7. If possible, list all people who were in the room or area, especially those who had actual contact with the powder. Give this list to both the local public health authorities so that proper instructions can be given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further investigation.

QUESTION OF ROOM CONTAMINATION BY AEROSOLIZATION:

For example: small device triggered, warning that air-handling system is contaminated, or warning that a biological agent released in a public space.

1. Turn off local fans or ventilation units in the area.
2. LEAVE area immediately.
3. CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
4. What to do next:
   1. If you are at HOME, then dial “911” to report the incident to local police and the local FBI field office.
   2. If you are at WORK, then dial “911” to report the incident to local police and the local FBI field office, and notify your building security official or an available supervisor.
5. SHUT down air handling system in the building, if possible.
6. If possible, list all people who were in the room or area. Give this list to both the local public health authorities so that proper instructions can be given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further investigation.

Source: Center for Disease Control

https://emergency.cdc.gov/bioterrorism/

RADIOLOGICAL ATTACK

Radiological Dispersion Device

A Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD) combines a conventional explosive device — such as a bomb — with radioactive material. It is designed to scatter dangerous and sub-lethal amounts of radioactive material over a general area.

Such RDDs appeal to terrorists because they require limited technical knowledge to build and deploy compared to a nuclear device. The size of the affected area and the level of destruction caused by an RDD would depend on the sophistication and size of the conventional bomb and other factors. The area affected could be placed off-limits to the public for several months during cleanup efforts.

Before a Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD) Event

There is no way of knowing how much warning time there will be before an attack by terrorists using a Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD), so being prepared in advance and knowing what to do and when is important. To prepare for an RDD event, you should do the following:

• Build an Emergency Supply Kit with the addition of duct tape and scissors.
• Make a Family Emergency Plan.
• Find out from officials if any public buildings in your community have been designated as fallout shelters. If none have been designated, make your own list of potential shelters near your home, workplace, and school, such as basements, subways, tunnels, or the windowless center area of middle floors in high-rise buildings.
• If you live in an apartment building or high-rise, talk to the manager about the safest place in the building for sheltering and about providing for building occupants until it is safe to go out.

Taking shelter during an RDD event is absolutely necessary. There are two kinds of shelters - blast and fallout. The following describes the two kinds of shelters:

• Blast shelters are specifically constructed to offer some protection against blast pressure, initial radiation, heat, and fire. But even a blast shelter cannot withstand a direct hit from a nuclear explosion.
• Fallout shelters do not need to be specially constructed for protecting against fallout. They can be any protected space, provided that the walls and roof are thick and dense enough to absorb the radiation given off by fallout particles.

During an Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD) Event

While the explosive blast will be immediately obvious, the presence of radiation will not be known until trained personnel with specialized equipment are on the scene.

If the explosion or radiological release occurs inside, get out immediately and seek safe shelter. Otherwise, if you are:

Outdoors

• Seek shelter indoors immediately in the nearest undamaged building.
• If appropriate shelter is not available, cover your nose and mouth and move as rapidly as is safe upwind, away from the location of the explosive blast. Then, seek appropriate shelter as soon as possible.
• Listen for official instructions and follow directions.

Indoors

• If you have time, turn off ventilation and heating systems, close windows, vents, fireplace dampers, exhaust fans, and clothes dryer vents.
• Retrieve your disaster supplies kit and a battery-powered radio and take them to your shelter room.
• Seek shelter immediately, preferably underground or in an interior room of a building, placing as much distance and dense shielding as possible between you and the outdoors where the radioactive material may be.
• Seal windows and external doors that do not fit snugly with duct tape to reduce infiltration of radioactive particles. Plastic sheeting will not provide shielding from radioactivity nor from blast effects of a nearby explosion.
• Listen for official instructions and follow directions.

After a Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD) Event

After finding safe shelter, those who may have been exposed to radioactive material should decontaminate themselves. To do this, remove and bag your clothing (and isolate the bag away from you and others), and shower thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical attention after officials indicate it is safe to leave shelter.

Contamination from an RDD event could affect a wide area, depending on the amount of conventional explosives used, the quantity and type of radioactive material released, and meteorological conditions.

Follow these additional guidelines after an RDD event:

• Continue listening to your radio or watch the television for instructions from local officials, whether you have evacuated or sheltered-in-place.
• Do not return to or visit an RDD incident location for any reason.

• Civil disorders are an unlikely occurrence.  However, if a riot situation developed, these are the likely steps that would ensure your safety.
• Notify Security by dialing 650.838.9700.
• Remain within the building.  Do nothing to antagonize the crowd.  Inform all other personnel to do likewise.  Do not travel to other buildings, unless you are directed to do so by Security or the Police.
• Close all blinds in exterior rooms and then avoid window areas.  You could become a target.  Lock all doors.
• Focus your attention away from the incident.  Leave the area of disturbance to prevent injury or possible arrest.
• Report to the core area of the building (away from the exterior of the building).
• Stay off the phone. Avoid unnecessary inquiries that tie up communications systems.

• Use good judgment and remain calm.  Stay in your office/department unless you are in an unsafe position or instructed to leave by Security or the Police.
• Secure all valuable materials in a safe place or at least out of sight.
• Cooperate. Certain services may be limited during a disturbance.  Access will be restricted.  Withdraw from the area until it is safe to enter.  Your safety is the primary concern.
• If demonstrators enter the premises, keep calm, be courteous, and avoid an incident. Avoid actions or verbal responses that may provoke the situation.  Avoid arguments, provocative statements or engaging in a debate with participants.  They have entered the building to propagandize, confront or agitate the building's occupants.  Let them make their point.  Frustrating them is dangerous and provocative.  Do not try to reason with them.  Call the Police to have individuals removed if you can do so without incident.

Extended power outages may impact the whole community and the economy. A power outage is when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly.

A power outage may:

• Disrupt communications, water, and transportation.
• Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks and other services.
• Cause food spoilage and water contamination.
• Prevent use of medical devices.

Power Outage Tips

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
• Use a generator, but ONLY outdoors and away from windows.
• Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
• Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
• Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
• Check with local officials about heating and cooling locations open near you.

How to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage

Go to a community location with power if heat or cold is extreme.

Preparing for a Power Outage

Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity. Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs when the power goes out, such as a portable charger or power bank. Have flashlights for every household member. Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.

Know Your Medical Needs

Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.

Food Storage

Have enough nonperishable food and water. Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.

Using Appliances During Power Outages

Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home. Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home. Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage.

Severe weather can happen anytime, in any part of the country. Severe weather can include hazardous conditions produced by thunderstorms, including damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail, flooding and flash flooding, and winter storms associated with freezing rain, sleet, snow, and strong winds.

LIGHTNING AND THUNDERSTORMS

Lightning is a leading cause of injury and death from weather-related hazards. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms.

Thunderstorms are dangerous storms that include lightning and can create or cause:

• Powerful winds over 50 mph
• Hail
• Flash flooding and/or tornadoes

Prepare for Thunderstorms & Lightning

Know Your Risk

Know your area’s risk for thunderstorms. In most places they can occur year-round and at any hour. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

Strengthen Your Home

Cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home. Consider buying surge protectors, lightning rods or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances and electronic devices.

Make an Emergency Plan

Create an emergency plan so that you and your family know what to do, where to go and what you will need to protect yourselves from the effects of a thunderstorm. Identify sturdy buildings close to where you live, work, study and play.

Stay Safe During Thunderstorms & Lightning

 If you are under a thunderstorm warning:

• Move from outdoors into a building or car with a roof.
• Pay attention to alerts and warnings.
• Avoid using electronic devices connected to an electrical outlet.
• Avoid running water.
• Do not drive through flooded roadways. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death.

Floods may:

• Result from rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges and overflows of dams and other water systems.
• Develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.
• Cause outages, disrupt transportation, damage buildings, and create landslides.

Preparing for a Flood

Know Your Risk for Floods

Visit FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to know types of flood risk in your area.  Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

Purchase Flood Insurance

Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy. Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. It typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect so the time to buy is well before a disaster. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Preparing for a Flood

Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from flooding. Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. Gather supplies, including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days, in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off in your area.

In Case of Emergency

Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies. Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.

If you are under a flood warning:

• Find safe shelter right away.
• Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
• Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.

Depending on the type of flooding:

• Evacuate if told to do so.
• Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
• Stay where you are.

Once the shaking starts:

• Duck, cover and hold under a hard surface like a desk or table.
• Face away from any windows.
• Stay clear of tall objects that may tilt and topple over.
• Stay in the building. Do not run outside.

Once the initial shocks have subsided:

• Remain calm, be prepared for aftershocks.
• After the quake subsides, get out flashlights.  Even if the power is still on, it may not stay on long.
• The Floor Warden or any employee should institute a thorough search of your floor, checking stairwells, bathrooms, elevator lobbies, closets, etc.
• Gather the occupants of the floor together at your pre-selected gathering place. Determine if everyone is accounted for by performing a head count.
• Assist a victim to the degree you are trained.  If blood or bodily fluids are present, always wear latex gloves.  Be certain to give a pair of gloves to other employees who may be assisting or may come in contact with the blood or bodily fluids.
• Take out and turn on a battery operated radio.  Assign someone to keep track of what is going on in the rest of the area.
• Emergency supplies are located on each floor.  These supplies include medical supplies and search and rescue tools.

Floor Wardens should prepare a local condition report. This report should contain:

• The number of people on your floor.
• The number of injured people on your floor, with a brief description of their injuries.
• A brief description of any apparent structural damage on your floor, i.e. ceiling collapse, large cracks in core walls, broken glass. Any other immediate needs you have.
• Provide this report to your manager if possible.
• Take inventory of your emergency supplies.  Remember that you may be staying in the building for a few days.  Conserve your supplies.
• DO turn off any lighting or electrical devices.
• DON’T use the telephone except in extreme emergencies.
• DON’T use the elevators.

The below resources are prepared for you and available on the ready.gov website:

1. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT - Surviving an Active Shooter Event
2. Active Shooter Information Sheet
3. If you see something say something
4. Active Shooter Preparedness Resources

A pandemic is a disease outbreak that spans several countries and affects a large number of people. Pandemics are most often caused by viruses, like Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which can easily spread from person to person.

A new virus, like COVID-19, can emerge from anywhere and quickly spread around the world. It is hard to predict when or where the next new pandemic will emerge.

If a Pandemic is declared:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Keep a distance of at least six feet between yourself and people who are not part of your household.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when in public.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch objects and surfaces.
• Stay at home as much as possible to prevent the spread of disease.
• Follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How to Prepare Yourself for a Pandemic

• Learn how diseases spread to help protect yourself and others. Viruses can be spread from person to person, from a non-living object to a person and by people who are infected but don’t have any symptoms.
• Prepare for the possibility of schools, workplaces and community centers being closed. Investigate and prepare for virtual coordination for school, work (telework) and social activities.
• Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days or weeks. Supplies may include cleaning supplies, non-perishable foods, prescriptions and bottled water. Buy supplies slowly to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to buy what they need.
• Create an emergency plan so that you and your family know what to do and what you will need in case an outbreak happens. Consider how a pandemic may affect your plans for other emergencies.
• Review your health insurance policies to understand what they cover, including telemedicine options.
• Create password-protected digital copies of important documents and store in a safe place. Watch out for scams and fraud.

Stay Safe During a Pandemic

• Get vaccinated. Vaccines stimulate your immune system to produce antibodies, so vaccines actually prevent diseases.
• Take actions to prevent the spread of disease. Cover coughs and sneezes. Wear a mask in public. Stay home when sick (except to get medical care). Disinfect surfaces. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Stay six feet away from people who are not part of your household.
• If you believe you’ve been exposed to the disease, contact your doctor, follow the quarantine instructions from medical providers and monitor your symptoms. If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 and shelter in place with a mask, if possible, until help arrives.
• Share accurate information about the disease with friends, family and people on social media. Sharing bad information about the disease or treatments for the disease may have serious health outcomes. Remember that stigma hurts everyone and can cause discrimination against people, places or nations.
• Know that it’s normal to feel anxious or stressed. Engage virtually with your community through video and phone calls. Take care of your body and talk to someone if you are feeling upset.

Stay Safe After a Pandemic

Continue taking protective actions, like:

• Staying home when you are sick (except to get medical care).
• Following the guidance of your health care provider.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Be sure to evaluate your family emergency plan and make timely updates.

Work with your community to talk about the lessons you learned from the pandemic. Decide how you can use these experiences to be more prepared for future pandemics.